Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has cautioned that vote-buying poses a serious threat to Ghana’s democracy, warning that the practice undermines democratic institutions and ultimately harms the very citizens whose votes are bought.

Speaking at the launch of the National Integrity Awards Scheme, the Chief Justice said politicians who choose integrity over unethical practices may lose elections, but preserving democratic values is far more important than winning through corruption.

“The honest politician may lose an election, but vote-buying weakens democracy and ultimately impoverishes the very people whose votes we purchased.

“The cost of integrity is often paid by the individual; the cost of corruption is paid by all of us; that is why integrity remains indispensable. No nation has ever succeeded by rewarding dishonesty indefinitely,” he stated.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stressed that public trust remains the bedrock of strong institutions, warning that corruption steadily erodes confidence in governance, public administration and the justice system.

“Sooner or later, every society discovers that trust is its greatest currency. Once trust disappears, institutions begin to weaken, contracts lose meaning, public confidence erodes, justice itself becomes suspect. As Chief Justice, I know that the judiciary depends on one thing above all else: not buildings, not budgets, not even judgements; it depends on public confidence,” he said.

He described the National Integrity Awards Scheme as a timely initiative that will encourage ethical leadership, strengthen accountability and promote integrity across Ghana’s public institutions and national life.